First Friday Gallery Walk

Last night was our monthly First Friday Gallery Walk in the Eau Gallie Arts District (EGAD). We had a nice turnout. During part of the evening I demonstrated some of my new painting techniques. The gallery featured three special shows. First, our Second Annual Miniature show, which was excellent. The quality of the work this year was amazing. Awards were handed out and everyone who visited really enjoyed the work.
Second, our ongoing monthly Art of Eights Project was also showing. The 8 x 8 inch canvases are displayed in the gallery for one month, then on our website for three months. Each piece reflects the artist's personality and all are well-executed.
Third, the front room of the gallery features several paintings by some of our gallery members who have won awards. Our award-winning pieces are showing throughout the month.
Visit our gallery website to learn more. If you would like to participate in the Art of Eights Project, we welcome you! The application fee includes the canvas, which we provide. We do not take a commission if the piece sells, and so it is a wonderful way for artists of any caliber to earn exposure.
Learn more at our website: http://artandantiquestudio.com

Barbara's Painting

My intermediate class just finished a still life painting of a silver tea pot with a glass bowl of cherries. This is Barbara and her finished piece. This is special because Barbara actually polished the silver piece for me that we used as the reference for this painting. Great job on your painting, Barbara! And thanks so much for making the silver look like new!!!

More classes are beginning in February. You can visit my website to see the list, register and view the supplies list.

We have been working hard to get our new teaching studio ready and so I haven't had a lot of time to work on lessons for this blog. I have been taking progress photos of some pieces we've been working on in class, so I hope to have some new lessons up soon. Stay tuned! Thanks for visiting.

You can see pictures of the new studio by visiting our Art and Antiques Studio Facebook page. The teaching studio is called Courtyard Studio, but we are affiliated with the Art and Antiques Studio and Gallery next door. Visit our Facebook Page and become a FAN!

Susanna Spann and Antique Glass Exhibition

The Art and Antique Studio and Gallery is featuring "Treasured Memories", the work of award winning artist Susanna Spann along with a gorgeous selection of antique glass from their antique specialist, Debbie McElwain. The opening reception is Friday, January 8, 2010, from 5:30 to 8:30 at the gallery which is located at 1419 Highland Ave., in the Eau Gallie Arts District (EGAD) in Melbourne, Florida.

As a member of this cooperative gallery, I can tell you I have seen the show this week and it is wonderful. The show will be up through the month of January. Don't miss it!

You will also see gallery members work displayed and several consignment artists who produce pottery, jewelry, hand-carved gourds, art quilts and more.

You can find us on Facebook and become a Fan.

Long Time - No See!

So sorry I haven't written in awhile! I have been really busy preparing for the Artworks of Eau Gallie show, that happened this past weekend. What a great time we had! There are so many amazingly talented people in this area it just blows me away! I feel so privileged to be a part of the show. You can see more photos of the show and see the list of award winners at: http://www.brevardartnews.com

 

At left is a miniature painting I just created last week for part of my new miniature series. It is framed in gold and measures (with frame) 6 x 8 inches.

For those of you who are just coming back to Florida from the cold north, classes will resume in January. You can see a brief schedule on my website. http://watercolorworksart.com/Classes

I do have a workshop coming up:
Beginner’s Watercolor Workshop
Saturday, December 12, 2009
From 9 AM – 3:30 PM
At Art & Antiques Studio & Fine Art Gallery
1419 Highland Ave., Eau Gallie Arts District (EGAD) - Across the street from Ralph’s Art Supply
$65.00 – bring a lunch.

This workshop is for those who are new to watercolor. We will set up our palettes together, discuss tools and materials, learn the basic washes and brush strokes, and practice together each step of the way.
In the afternoon, we will practice techniques taught in the morning session, and create a small painting together. Students will develop a a better understanding of the exciting medium of watercolor.

Art supply list on Debbie’s website:
http://watercolorworksart.com/Classes
Pre-registration and payment is required to hold your spot.
Space is limited, so register online or print registration form from website and mail to Debbie.
This would make a great gift for someone who would like to get started in watercolor!

I will be adding a new Blog Lesson just after Thanksgiving. Hope you have a great holiday!
Debbie

Handiwork - Just for Fun!

I work a shift each week at the cooperative gallery with which I am a member. We are encouraged to bring our work and paint and draw during our shift. A few weeks ago I was prepared to paint, but forgot to bring the actual piece I had started, so I looked around for something to work on while I was there.

Ah, Ha!!! My hands are attached to me and I cannot forget them! So I sketched my hand several times on a 10 by 14 inch sheet of watercolor paper. I played with wet washes and skin tones. What fun. This is a great way for those of you who want to learn to paint people to study shapes, shadows, values and colors for portraiture.

To learn more about the Art and Antique Studio and Fine Art Gallery, a cooperative gallery here in Melbourne, Florida, click here.

I am currently gearing up for classes which start the last week in September and I am getting ready to set a date for a one-day Beginner's Watercolor Workshop. If you are interested in classes please visit my website for more information. The one day workshop will cover all the foundational information, wash techniques and brushwork that you will need to begin painting in watercolor. If you would like to participate in the Saturday workshop please drop me an email so I can notify you of the date, time and location.

New online lesson coming soon!

Lemons Lesson Number 1

Today is the beginning of a new lesson. These lemons, or limes, were in a glass bowl at the Art and Antique Studio Gallery, where I work and teach. I'm not sure if they were green lemons or ripe limes, so I'll just call them lemons for now. The principles we will use for this painting will work either way.

If you would like to paint along with this lesson, for five dollars you can go to my etsy webstore and order the photo reference and drawing by clicking on the online class icon. Once your payment clears, I will send you the photo and drawing via email. Several people have said they printed out the lesson each day, and then they had the whole plan before they started. It has been fun to see the pieces that people have produced from my blog lessons!

Okay, now to get started…
The first thing I did was prepare a drawing from my photo references.

I used graphite to coat the back of my drawing and then I taped it on one edge to a 10 by 14-inch piece of Arches 140 pound cold press paper.


Next, I masked the areas in the bowl and plate where I wanted to protect the white of the paper. It is very important to apply masking thoughtfully. Whatever marks you use with the masking fluid will remain when you lift the masking later in the painting process.

McKee Garden Water Lily Festival

Last Saturday, a few of the ladies from the Art and Antique Studio Gallery went to the McKee Gardens in Vero Beach, Florida. The folks at McKee were holding a Water Lily Festival in their beautiful gardens and ponds.

I was part of the gallery group and spent nearly two hours (not enough time!!!) taking photos. I saw more colors of water lilies than I ever knew existed.

Besides the record heat (high 90's), the day was absolutely beautiful and the light was perfect for the photographers who enjoyed the sights.
Above left are Therese and Barbara shooting a few scenes from a shady spot near the main pond.


Here is just one of the 160 photos I took that morning. I am sure there will be a few new paintings of water lilies this year!